Halal Certification can open new markets to Portuguese companies

A halal certification was highlighted today as a determinant for the entry of Portuguese companies into markets with Muslim consumers, by ensuring that a product, ingredient, cosmetic, medicine or service complies with the precepts of Islamic law.

“ In a context in which the diversification of export markets is of increasing importance for the competitiveness of the Portuguese economy, Halal certification can be a strategic advantage for companies that want to access markets with Muslim consumers, strengthen trust with international customers and partners and identify new business opportunities,” says the Portuguese Business Association (AEP) in a press release released in a seminar that took place today in Matosinhos.

As noted above, these are markets such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia or Indonesia.

The Arabic word “Halalal” means “licit” or “allowed” (as opposed to “Haram”, which means prohibited) and its certification covers not only the final product but the entire production chain, from raw material to storage, transport and packaging.

This certification – which in Portugal is in charge of accredited Islamic entities and specialized certification bodies, especially the Halal Institute of Portugal (IHP) and the partnership between SGS Portugal and the Islamic Cultural Council of Portugal (CCIP) – covers a wide range of activities, from the food industry to cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, tourism and logistics.

The main points it assesses are the absence of prohibited ingredients (“Haram”), namely pork (nor derivatives), alcohol, blood, ingredients derived from animals not slaughtered according to Islamic rite or carnivorous animals.

In addition to the final product, the verification analyzes the entire production line, including raw materials, suppliers, cleaning equipment and preventing cross contamination with items not allowed.

In the case of meat, for example, the rules determine that the animal is alive and healthy at the time of slaughter and that it is done quickly and following principles of respect and minimization of suffering.

The aim is to assure the Muslim consumer that what he is consuming respects his faith and principles.

Promoted by AEP, SGS Portugal and CIP, the seminar “Halalal in Portugal: Certifying to Export – New Opportunities for Portuguese Companies” aimed to “make known the potential of Halal markets and the importance of certification for the internationalization of national companies”.

A cooperation protocol between CEPOL and the CIP was also signed under the event to boost the dissemination and promotion of Halal certification services and to provide technical assistance to companies interested in obtaining this certification.

According to CEPOL, through this partnership, the CIP will support companies in identifying and responding to the technical requirements necessary for their certification process.